Our members’ top potty training tips

Tesco Baby Club parents share their wisdom on getting your toddler out of nappies.

Let them feel in control

Leah Jones, mum to Finn and Elke: “We talked about it beforehand, had the potty in the living room and would put dolls, mummy and pets on it to ‘do a wee wee’. Within three days of potty training my son was going to the potty alone.”

Katherine Vivian, mum to Joshua and Erin: “We let him do things himself. Once he’s finished, he makes a big announcement, empties the potty contents into the toilet, flushes and then uses his step to go and wash his hands.”

Be consistent

Gemma Hutchins, mum to Daisy: “Make sure everyone uses the same word: my daughter will say ‘No’ if I ask if she needs the toilet, but often says ‘Yes’ if I ask if she needs a wee.”

Kirsty Riches, mum to Sofia-Grace: “Once you start, stick with it! It’s easy to put a nappy on if you need to pop out, but this can confuse a toddler.”

Praise them

Lilly Waters Johnson, mum to Josh and Ollie: “After a wee or a poo, there were phone calls to tell everyone all about it! Josh loved the attention and he took to it so easily.”

Katie Walters, mum to Micah: “I found a reward chart was a good way of helping the process along.”

Be patient

Nicola Lloyd, mum to Charlotte and Oliver: “Wait until your child’s ready – we pushed Charlotte into it too early and it took a long time. Her friend was older and he took less than a week!”

Obey your instincts

Lisa Hawkins, mum to Rhiannon and Bethany: “I started sitting my girls on the potty for a few minutes every day as soon as they could sit up. They got great praise if they managed anything! From 18 months I let them run around nappy-free a lot, and both were dry by two.”

Siobhan Dowers, mum to William, Eilís and Róisín: “I know some people wait until their sons are big enough to stand at a toilet, but I found it easier to sit my son on the potty.”

Top potty training tips

It’s easier to potty train in the summer, when you don’t have layers of clothes to deal with.

Toddlers often wait until the last minute before telling you they need to go. Ask constantly if they want a wee!